Colorado + Camping | The Guardianhttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/colorado+camping
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Cliff camping in Colorado: postcards from the ledgehttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/oct/05/cliff-camping-in-colorado-rocky-mountains
<p>There are lots of great ways to see the Rockies – <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/dec/13/colorado-ski-cabins-old-west">skiing</a>, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/jul/20/top-10-outdoor-trips-activities-colorado">trekking</a>, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/aug/31/rockies-road-trip-driving-colorado-summer-usa">a road trip</a> – but for Aaron Millar a storm-tossed hike, abseiling in darkness and (not) sleeping halfway up a cliff proved to be the best</p><p>I am hanging from a cliff, 150 metres above the ground, in the middle of the night, with nothing to occupy my thoughts but pitch-black air, bare rock walls and a dose of vertigo strong enough to cow a harpy eagle. I should be sleeping; I’ve been trying for hours. But six billion years of evolutionary common sense is keeping my pupils dilated to a steady panic. Some fears, I realise in sudden horrific clarity, are too primal to be conquered. They must be endured.</p><p>This is cliff camping: a new extreme activity offered by Colorado operator <a href="http://kmaconline.com/">Kent Mountain Adventure Centre</a>, which pioneered the idea last year with biker-broadcaster <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2014/jun/07/charley-boorman-interview-what-see-mirror">Charley Boorman</a> for his TV series USA Adventure. The overnight tour, on the outskirts of the Rocky Mountain national park – which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in January – puts vertical virgins in the hands of experienced climbing guides for a night on a professional mountain portaledge that is guaranteed to provide dinner table tales for years to come.</p><p>Imagine a nylon cot with less space than a church pew, suspended at a head-spinning height</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/oct/05/cliff-camping-in-colorado-rocky-mountains">Continue reading...</a>ColoradoAdventure travelMountaineeringUnited StatesCampingTravelWalking holidaysClimbing holidaysExtreme sports holidaysNorth and Central AmericaSun, 05 Oct 2014 06:00:09 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/oct/05/cliff-camping-in-colorado-rocky-mountainsPhotograph: Daniel Gambino/Kent Mountain Adventure CentrePhotograph: Daniel Gambino/Kent Mountain Adventure CentrePhotograph: Daniel GambinoRocky ascent … cliff camping in Colorado. Photograph: Daniel GambinoPhotograph: Daniel GambinoRocky ascent … cliff camping in Colorado. Photograph: Daniel GambinoAaron Millar2014-10-05T06:00:09ZTop 10 campsites in Coloradohttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/jul/20/top-10-colorado-camping-usa
From basic campsites to luxury log cabins, Colorado has plenty of options for staying in the great outdoors. With the Colorado Trail and San Juan mountains as a backdrop, there's also cool hiking, climbing and cycling to be had<p>People flock to Little Molas ostensibly for its proximity to Andrews Lake, a high-altitude tarn stocked with rainbow and brook trout. But the setting itself – at over 3,300m, encircled by the often snowy, incisor-like peaks of Snowdon, Grand Turk, Engineer and Twin Sisters – is reason enough to visit. The campsite balances in the high trough between the towns of Durango and Silverton, with excellent hiking access to the Colorado Trail. There's good rock climbing and a beautiful waterfall six miles down the south side of Molas Pass, in Cascade Canyon. Though summer can be glorious, sudden rain, hail and snow is common – even in summer – so come prepared with a solid tent and plenty of foul-weather gear.<br />• <em>+1 970 387 5522, </em><a href="http://www.molaslake.com/" title=""><em>molaslake.com</em></a><em>. Fees from $10-$30 a night</em></p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/jul/20/top-10-colorado-camping-usa">Continue reading...</a>ColoradoCampingTop 10sRoad tripsUnited StatesNorth and Central AmericaTravelFri, 19 Jul 2013 23:10:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/jul/20/top-10-colorado-camping-usaAlamyThe Little Molas Lake has excellent hiking access to the Colorado TrailAlamyLittle Molas Lake, Colorado
Photograph: AlamyAaron Gulley2013-07-19T23:10:00Z20 great American national park adventureshttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2008/jun/29/usa.nationalparks
From rafting in Alaska to biking in Utah, nowhere does the great outdoors better than the US. So whether you are looking for a cosy cabin hideaway or a high-octane expedition, Jane Dunford and Sarah Turner have the low-down on the country's national parks<p>The first green-minded US president, Teddy Roosevelt, set up a two-million-acre protected wilderness in 1907, known today as the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Volcanic Mount Shasta dominates the landscape: soaring to over 4,322m, it's the second-highest volcano in the US. For a back-to-basics experience, stay at the Hirz Mountain Lookout, a fire-watching tower built in 1949 (there's no running water or electricity, but it's only $35 a night). Larger groups looking for luxury could rent a houseboat with all mod cons to explore Shasta Lake - the Renaissance sleeps 10 and has hot tub, stainless steel kitchen and Bose entertainment system, from $2,035 for a weekend (00 1 877 468 7326; <a href="http://www.houseboats.com">houseboats.com</a>).</p> <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2008/jun/29/usa.nationalparks">Continue reading...</a>United StatesAdventure travelTravelCampingWalking holidaysWildlife holidaysCanoeing and kayakingCycling holidaysHorse ridingUtahGrand CanyonCape CodColoradoAlaskaSat, 28 Jun 2008 23:01:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/travel/2008/jun/29/usa.nationalparksRobyn Beck/AFPGet a new perspective on the Grand Canyon National Park by raft or mule tripRobyn Beck/AFPJane Dunford2008-06-28T23:01:00Z